Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 2: Confessions of a Failed Runner

CricketKate
CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
In the past year, I have begun the C25K program 4 times. Each ending in horrific injuries. Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration (just a bit). The first time ended in knee surgery caused by a large cyst in my knee. 2nd time ended in tendonitis. 3rd time I actually made it to week 7 before I ended up with a bruised and swollen foot (not sure what caused it). Last time, I got a stress fracture 2 weeks in. Many people, ranging from my husband to my orthopedic dr, have suggested that perhaps running is not my strong suit. I tend to agree, but I don't want to give in. Aren't runners supposed to be such happy people?

So, 5th time the charm?

Day 1, Week 1
Running Speed 5, Walking speed 4
2.04 miles in 30 minutes

Replies

  • Speedtrap
    Speedtrap Posts: 216
    no, runners are not happy people any more than fat people are.
    I tried doing the C25K twice, I was in pain and did not get the "rush" runners talk about, I hated it and I will not try again.

    What I did instead, is I got a road bike, I love riding and that is where I get my "Rush"
    Plus I like flying past the runners......

    If it does not work for you, why torture yourself. Find what works for you!
  • Crystals422
    Crystals422 Posts: 382 Member
    I am glad to see you are trying it again.
  • MovesLikePuma
    MovesLikePuma Posts: 122
    no, runners are not happy people any more than fat people are.
    I tried doing the C25K twice, I was in pain and did not get the "rush" runners talk about, I hated it and I will not try again.

    What I did instead, is I got a road bike, I love riding and that is where I get my "Rush"
    Plus I like flying past the runners......

    If it does not work for you, why torture yourself. Find what works for you!

    ^^^^^ THIS!!! I have bad knees but kept trying to run out of pure stubborness. I have finally given up, though I do an occaisional 5K, and have started biking. I feel much better riding and think I do get the rush with it. I am much happier too! :drinker:
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Well, do you want to keep getting injuries? Do you like feeling hurt? Why not find something that you enjoy that doesn't result in fractures and surgeries?
  • pbl1966
    pbl1966 Posts: 207 Member
    Not usuallly a happy person while running but ecstatic when I finish! Running may not be your thing but the important thing is to find what makes you feel good about yourself.
  • mslack01
    mslack01 Posts: 823 Member
    I think everyone has to find what "works" for them. Not everyone enjoys running. I don't call myself a runner yet, but I am enjoying it more and more and finding it therapeutic. I remember when I hated walking though. If you think it is something you can enjoy give it another shot. But you don't have to do it because so many other people love it. There are lots of people that love biking but I hate it. It hurts my butt.
  • lauleipop
    lauleipop Posts: 260 Member
    Perhaps there is an issue with your running form making you more prone to injury? You might consider a running form workshop or a few sessions with a running coach. If you haven't already been fitted for shoes, ensure you have the right support there.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Thanks for all of the responses. I have been fitted for special running shoes that I wear.

    I would like to try cycling. My biggest problem is that, with 4 little children, it is difficult to get out to do anything. I can run/walk because I have a treadmill. My husband leaves for work at 5 am and I am not really anxious to hit the trails by myself (or with anyone else, to be honest) at 4 am. I can dreadmill while the children are getting ready for school.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Knee issues with runners are weak hips, start backwards, get a good video for strengthening your hips first, then try running . I use the ChiRunning form, which has been super for understanding running injuries and how to avoid them. Stress fractures I thought were from doing too much too fact. Make the C25K a slower process and work up to it slower. Also check with your dr and have your hormones and bone density checked, you may be missing something which would show up on blood work, hormone imbalance in women can also create an injury.
  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    I'll let you in a a secret

    most people don't like running when they first start. It takes a while for your body to get up to speed so to speak and for running to be enjoyable.

    However, given your history of injury you need to find out wth is going on. If you are balanced muscle wise, I can't imagine why this would be happening. Get some strength training under your belt, be willing to slow down on the treadmill so you aren't setting yourself up for injury etc.

    note; You can also get a bike trainer at home
  • WendySue75
    WendySue75 Posts: 98 Member
    Thanks for all of the responses. I have been fitted for special running shoes that I wear.

    I would like to try cycling. My biggest problem is that, with 4 little children, it is difficult to get out to do anything. I can run/walk because I have a treadmill. My husband leaves for work at 5 am and I am not really anxious to hit the trails by myself (or with anyone else, to be honest) at 4 am. I can dreadmill while the children are getting ready for school.
    OMG I have to tell you as I was reading this I got to the ?? typo?? of Dreadmill.... laughing my butt off (now if i could just figure out how to laugh my gutt off lol) did you mean to use the "D" or was it a typo.... OH WHO CARES.... I got a great laugh out of it, and can even relate to it being a DREADmill... I think I'm gonna start calling it that either way LMAO!!!!
  • LVRunnerChick
    LVRunnerChick Posts: 3
    Knee issues with runners are weak hips, start backwards, get a good video for strengthening your hips first, then try running . I use the ChiRunning form, which has been super for understanding running injuries and how to avoid them. Stress fractures I thought were from doing too much too fact. Make the C25K a slower process and work up to it slower. Also check with your dr and have your hormones and bone density checked, you may be missing something which would show up on blood work, hormone imbalance in women can also create an injury.

    Pardon the newbie for stopping by, but I was searching the boards for ChiRunning and I stumbled on this thread. I started running with C25K a couple years ago but fell off the wagon before the 5min intervals. I started AGAIN with my husband last year and have since completed a 9.11K, 10K, 11K and even a 1/2 marathon. While training for my 1/2, I was stricken with a really bad case of ITB and while hoping it would heal itself over a month of non-running (#EPICFAIL), I found ChiRunning. Very helpful in my opinion and I would recommend it to everyone.

    To the other person who posted about most people not liking running initially... I was the same way. I would grit my teeth and occasionally curse my way through the first three miles every time. Somewhere along the lines the mental dialogue changed, and I no longer tell myself I can't do it anymore, I just do it.

    My name is Jill by the way. Sorry for interrupting. :)
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Perhaps there is an issue with your running form making you more prone to injury? You might consider a running form workshop or a few sessions with a running coach. If you haven't already been fitted for shoes, ensure you have the right support there.

    Bingo!
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    OMG I have to tell you as I was reading this I got to the ?? typo?? of Dreadmill.... laughing my butt off (now if i could just figure out how to laugh my gutt off lol) did you mean to use the "D" or was it a typo.... OH WHO CARES.... I got a great laugh out of it, and can even relate to it being a DREADmill... I think I'm gonna start calling it that either way LMAO!!!!

    Not a typo. When it comes to fitness and nutrition, I tend to act like a 5 year old (my little inner child) and I find that I can bear the dreadmill better if I call it names. Though, to be completely honest, the names I call it in my head can't be repeated in polite company.:blushing: I really do love my dreamill, we've been together a long time. And, when I got up to week 7, I loved C25k, too.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Perhaps there is an issue with your running form making you more prone to injury? You might consider a running form workshop or a few sessions with a running coach. If you haven't already been fitted for shoes, ensure you have the right support there.

    I did get fitted for special shoes. I have never been told that my form is bad. After the tendonits injury, I was told that the joints in my feet are off. The Dr said that when the joints loosened up during my 4 preganncies, they didn't heal (tighten) correctly. I feel like I'm beating the proverbial dead horse, but being able to run a 5k at least is an accomplishment that I would really like to have.:tongue:
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    It sounds like you've been given several warnings by your body and you're still ignoring them. Why not just get an elliptical or a bike or lift weights instead? Running sucks badly by itself, nevermind the injuries you've had! There's so many ways to get a good work out, you don't HAVE to use the dreadmill (great name btw).
  • SkettiGurl
    SkettiGurl Posts: 186 Member
    Perhaps there is an issue with your running form making you more prone to injury? You might consider a running form workshop or a few sessions with a running coach. If you haven't already been fitted for shoes, ensure you have the right support there.

    I did get fitted for special shoes. I have never been told that my form is bad. After the tendonits injury, I was told that the joints in my feet are off. The Dr said that when the joints loosened up during my 4 preganncies, they didn't heal (tighten) correctly. I feel like I'm beating the proverbial dead horse, but being able to run a 5k at least is an accomplishment that I would really like to have.:tongue:

    I tried running after I had my son and I got this terrible knee pain after 3 weeks. I could hardly walk for 2 weeks after that and it took about 4 weeks for the pain to go away altogether. I was told that because I had a baby my hips, knees and ankles weren't aligned the same as they were before and I would have to change my gait.

    I have been running again since February and completed a 5k in 35:22 and a 10K (two weeks later) in 1:10:43. I started out super slow with 1/1 *10 and working my way up. No knee pain but did get hip pain when I tried cross training with Zumba...bad idea! (I'm currently icing my knee though as it is bothering me a bit since the 10K but I think that is an issue of too much too fast as I had only trained up to 5K/30 minutes)

    But what I'm trying to say is...have you tried a chiropractor? I find my runs are a lot easier after I've had an adjustment. I would suggest that and taking it VERY slow...maybe even slower than C25K.

    Good luck!
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